SC notice to Centre, state govts on women’s safety

A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir will hear the PIL on Thursday which also sought suspension of MPs and MLAs in case a charge sheet is filed against them for crime against women. Photo: Pradeep Gaur/Mint

Updated: Thu, Jan 03 2013. 01 03 AM IST

New Delhi: The apex court on Wednesday sought replies from the Centre and states on providing adequate security to women. It also decided to admit a plea for setting up fast-track courts for trial of all rape cases.

The apex court issued the notices seeking replies in four weeks. The direction came on two public interest litigations (PIL) filed before the court, days after the gang-rape of a 23-year-old paramedical student in Delhi on 16 December.

A bench headed by chief justice Altamas Kabir decided to hear the petition seeking the establishment of fast-track courts on Thursday. The PIL also sought suspension of members of Parliament and state legislators who have been charge-sheeted for crimes against women. Another bench of justices P. Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi asked centre and states to file replies on a PIL by advocate Mukul Kumar who sought the creation of women police stations in every town to investigate complaints of rape and sexual assault against women and implementation of the UN convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

Meanwhile, a revised anti-rape law, which is expected to have stringent punishment and facilitate speedier justice, is unlikely to be named after the Delhi gang-rape victim as suggested by some.

Home ministry officials said the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code do not have a provision for naming any law after an individual.